Hoboken Public Schools Creative Writing Curriculum
Creative Writing HOBOKEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS Course Description In this course, students will receive a variety of assignments to get them to try new things, examples will be provided so reading of exemplary texts by selected authors will be required. Emphasis will be placed on discussion, re-visioning work, class critiques and experimentation. It is through writing that life becomes more meaningful. Writing can clarify, heal, excite, encourage, remind, inspire, and make the world a better place. This class is a beginning for students to become poets, a free-lance writers, story tellers, script-writers, non-fiction writers, or even blog writers. There will be many options. If students make the effort to write in this class they are assured a very good grade. This class is about exploring the different writing genres. Course Resources Poem Exemplars Literary Technique Sheet Descriptive Writing Example Pacing Guide Unit Titles Unit One: Intro to Creative Description Unit Two: Characterization Unit Three: Poetry Unit Four: Song Writing Unit Five: Children s Literacy Unit Six: Spoke Word Unit Seven: Book Jacket Design Project Time Frame 6 Weeks 6 Weeks Unit 1 Advertising Unit 1 Overview In this unit, students will know and be able to use various literary techniques. Students will be able to create detailed description of various places. Students will be able to create a short narrative and poem using learned techniques. Ø How does reading the works of other writers help me improve my writing skills? Ø How does description/imagery add to the overall feel and quality of a written work?
Ø Students will know and be able to use various literary techniques Ø Students will be able to create detailed description of various places Ø Students will be able to create a short narrative and poem using learned techniques Ø Metaphor sheets Ø Poems Ø Devices worksheets Ø Narrative writing/exploration
Unit 2 Characterization Unit 2 Overview In this unit, students build upon previous knowledge to create vivid characters. Students will be able to use photos as effective starting points. Students will learn the proper format for dialogue. Ø How does reading the works of other writers help me improve my writing skills? Ø How does a well-developed character and realistic dialogue add to the overall feel and quality of a written work? Ø Students build upon previous knowledge to create vivid characters Ø Students will be able to use photos as effective starting points Ø Students will learn the proper format for dialogue Ø Character Snippets and Narrative Ø Dialogue Worksheets Ø Photo Stories
Unit 3 Poetry Unit 3 Overview In this unit, Students will be able annotate famous poems. Students will be able to craft a formatted poem and a free verse poem using pervious learned literary devices. Students will be able to understand and create an extended metaphor. Ø How does reading the works of other writers help me improve my writing skills? Ø How does rhyme, verse, and literary devices help the overall feel and quality of a written work? Ø Students will be able annotate famous poems. Ø Students will be able to craft a formatted poem and a free verse poem using pervious learned literary devices. Ø Students will be able to understand and create an extended metaphor Ø Creation of Haiku Poems, Free Verse Poems, and Villanelle Poems
Unit 4 Song Writing Unit 4 Overview In this unit, Students will be able to annotate song lyrics. Students will be able to write internal rhymes. Students will be able to write hooks and choruses. Ø How does reading the songs of other writers help me improve my writing skills? Ø How does narrative story-telling with choral elements add to the overall feel and quality of a song? Ø Students will be able to annotate song lyrics Ø Students will be able to write internal rhymes Ø Students will be able to write hooks and choruses Ø Creation of Original Songs
Unit 5 Children s Literacy Unit 5 Overview In this unit, students will be able to analyze exemplary kid s books. Students will be able to develop morals and themes. Students will be able to create original narratives based on classic narratives. Ø How does reading other s children s books help me improve my writing skills? Ø How and why is it important for students to learn morals through fictional stories? Ø Students will be able to analyze exemplary kid s books. Ø Students will be able to develop morals and themes. Ø Students will be able to create original narratives based on classic narratives. Ø Creation of Original Fairy Tales and Children s Books
Unit 6 Spoken Word Unit 5 Overview In this unit, students will be able to decipher social context in poetry. Students will be able to write internal rhymes. Students will be able to write a poem with a social issues as its theme. Ø How does reading and listening to the works of other poets help me improve my writing skills? Ø How does performance add to the power of a social message? Ø Students will be able to decipher social context in poetry. Ø Students will be able to write internal rhymes. Ø Students will be able to write a poem with a social issues as its theme. Ø 2-3 Spoken Word Poems
Unit 7 Book Jacket Design Project Unit 5 Overview In this unit, students will be able to use the basic tools and functions of Photoshop in order to create book jackets. Students will be able to write an effective book review. Students will be able create plot outlines and intrigue Ø How does reading and listening to the works of other poets help me improve my writing skills? Ø How does performance add to the power of a social message? Ø Students will be able to use the basic tools and functions of Photoshop in order to create book jackets Ø Students will be able to write an effective book review Ø Students will be able create plot outlines and intrigue Ø Creation of Original Book Jacket, Cover, and Description